The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1887-05-07
ABUSED STRENGTH;
Or the Lesson Taught the Boy Who Was
TOO Strong" and Broke Every Thing
He Touched.


TOO Strong" and Broke Every Thing
He Touched.
1t seemed that Geoff was the most
unfortunate boy in the world, for he
was, nearly always in trouble. And yethe
was not exactly a bad boy, for he did
not wish to displease his mother, and
was great deal happier when they
praised than when they blamed him.
Sometimes when he sat down to think,
which was not often, he tried to find
out the reason of his misfortune, and
one day he thought he had it.
81 am too strong" he said. THAT is
what is the matter with me. As soon
as l touch thing it seems to break. Only
to-day took hold of a plate. l think
it must have been cracked, but at all
events, it came in two in my hand, and
of course | got the blame of breaking
it. 1t must be because | am a great
strong fellow. Fred is different; he
would not have broken the plate if he
had held it for an hour; but then he has
no strength at all in his hands. Mother,
the best thing you can do is to starve
me little, and then, perhaps, you
would not have to call me breaking
boy"
Before Geoff's mother could answer,
his sister spoke:
at is very we'll for you to try to dis
pose of the matter in that way she
said; "but surely you know that it is
not your strength, but your awkward
ness, which is in fault"
81 don't know. Let me prove it to.
you," said Geoff "Look here, take
up this doll"
Geoff was interrupted by scream.
His little sister, Annie, flew to. the res
cue of her favorite.
80, Geoff, put down that dolll. be-
lieve if you only look at her she will
break. Now, see, she is broken"
Annie began to cry, and poor Geoff
looked sheepish. But he tried to COM
fort his little sister, and wished fer
vently that Ii had half do lar in his
pocket at the moment to give her.
81 declare l only gently tried to
straighten the dolls arms, and one of
them must needs come off directly. It's
too bad that dolls arms, should be
made so soft and weak. If had a
doll, she should be strong"
Nothing but an iron doll would do
for you," said Annie, resentfully;
"and believe you would contrive to
break that somehow or other"
"Now don't be cross, Annie. A
broken arm is not nearly as bad as a
broken head. But is it not strange
that l can not touch thing without
breaking itP"
That is not quite the case" said
Geoff's mother.
you do not break every thing that
you touch, and suppose it is only the
fragile things that come to grief. But
you need to practice gentleness, my
boy, You have large and strong hands,
and you use unnecessary force. Only
this morning when you took my arm
in the garden you seized it as if it were
something that would slip away, OF
something heavy that needed all YOU
power to retain it. If my arm had
been not soft, / am not sure that it also
would not have been broken"
20 mother, / am sorry. Did really
hurt you?"
"a little, Geoff; but l did not mint
it, and only speak of it in the hop,
that you may be careful in future"
II declare" said Nellie, "that
Geoff catches hold of my arm when VI
are at play, it is always black and blu
for day or two afterwards"
"Nonsenser' said Geoff; but he look
ed very sorry and panied.
| 81 am sure, mother, something mus
, be done. he said presently "you mus
put me on short commons, and ther
8 perhaps, shall get thin and weak"
! bat, my boy, do not want you t
get thin and weak. Strong hands al
needed in this world, and l hope YOU
Wnl do some good and useful wor
q when you are a little older. You mu
4 try to cultivate a kindly heart and
!. thoughtful spirit. and then you vi
ypoy in time how much force is needle